Plato
-427 — -347
Biography
Plato was one of the greatest thinkers in history, founder of the Academy in Athens — the first institution of higher learning in the Western world.
He created the theory of Ideas (Forms), according to which the world of things is merely a shadow of the world of Ideas. The famous allegory of the cave illustrates the philosopher's journey from ignorance to true knowledge.
Plato wrote about 30 dialogues, in which the main character is Socrates. His works cover ethics, politics, metaphysics, aesthetics, and epistemology.
Key Ideas
- Theory of Forms (Ideas)
- Allegory of the Cave
- The Ideal State
- Immortality of the soul
- Love as ascent to beauty
Works
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The Republic
Treatise on the ideal state and justice
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Symposium
Dialogue on the nature of love
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Phaedo
On the immortality of the soul
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Apology
Socrates' defense speech